Reporting and Communication Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Sudan assists the Government to formulate policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and utilize environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way. It contributes to the development of FAO’s field programme projects in the country and implements them in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development.

Reporting Lines

The Reporting and Communication Consultant is under the overall supervision of the FAO Deputy Representative in the Sudan, works in close consultation with the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the project Chief Technical Advisors and National Project Coordinators. The Reporting and Communication Specialist will supervise a unit of national reporting and communications specialists and be in regular consultation and coordinate with the HQ and RNE Communication Officers. The incumbent shall ensure coherence with FAO’s corporate communication policy and operational guidelines for all communication and information outputs.

Technical Focus

The incumbentwill work as part of a multidisciplinary team with the overall aim of developing and implementing a comprehensive reporting and communication strategy for the country office and its programme, projects and funds.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Ensure timely compilation, preparation, review and consolidation of progress, interim and terminal reports of country programme/projects, including the Country Annual Report, in accordance with FAO Reporting and Editorial Guidelines;
• Collaborate with the Deputy FAOR, project staff, implementing partners (IPs) and headquarters as needed to finalize report content;
• Ensure quality and alignment with the organization’s editorial policy and individual donor requirements;
• Take appropriate measures to dispatch progress and final reports to appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner, and act as reporting focal point, liaising with resource partners and other relevant partners as necessary;
• Establish and maintain an information system (excel) to ensure monitoring of reports;
• Contribute to editing and revising programme/operational documents such as policy papers, assessment reports, factsheets, publications, etc.; and
• Create and maintain templates (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.) and provide technical support to staff to be able to use them.
• Design and implement a communications strategy and related work plans in support of the Country Programming Framework (CPF) ensuring alignment with FAO regional and global priorities;
• Lead in the preparation of priority communication materials based on the communications plan, and other communication materials as required by the country office and the projects, as aligned to the overall communications strategy;
• Work with FAO Sudan project/sector teams to ensure a common approach in the coverage of different areas of focus, advise and provide support with sector‑specific communication needs;
• Contribute to the regular sharing of information on project activities, achievements and lessons learned with relevant stakeholders in the Sudan - e.g. government officials, resource partners, NGOs, academic and research institutions, etc.;
• Oversee and contribute to the development, design and finalization of technical policy briefs, brochures, and other communication materials;
• Prepare press releases on key activities in close coordination with the FAOR and the project managers and ensure they are released to the audience on a timely manner;
• Explore and organize training and capacity building activities for FAO Sudan staff in media relations, social media and strategic communications; encourage utilization of social media channels for effective messaging; and ensure sustainability of communication initiatives;
• Manage the FAO Sudan website and twitter page; draft project factsheets, articles, guest columns and social media messages; and monitor media coverage of FAO Sudan activities;
• Maintain contacts with key information units in the government and UN systems as well as development partners;
• Arrange interviews and/or press conferences and support the FAOR in identifying relevant experts to answer media queries and participate in interviews;
• Supervise the projects national reporting and communications specialists to design high impact messaging for TV and radio, both at national and international level, by producing short documentaries, success stories and lessons learned;
• Select and propose quality photos and videos for inclusion in the FAO corporate photo database; and liaise with the FAO Regional Office in RNE and HQ on the coverage of global events;
• Establish a contact list of national and international media (journalists and broadcasters) in Khartoum;
• Undertake field missions to take national/international media to project sites identified by the FAOR and CTAs as visual and interesting stories to share with stakeholders and the world at large, capturing the value of FAO’s support to the government to attain the SDGs;
• Maintain contact with the Office of Corporate Communications (OCC), either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes;
• Perform other communications‑related duties as required.
• Liaison with the Office of Communication (OCC) will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.
• All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including: FAOSTYLE (English: https://www.fao.org/3/cb8081en/cb8081en.pdf; French: https://www.fao.org/3/AC339FR/ac339fr.pdf; Spanish: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339s/ac339s.pdf; Arabic: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339a/ac339a.pdf; Chinese: https://www.fao.org/3/ac339c/ac339c.pdf); FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm; FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en; Story guidelines http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/UPDATED-Digital-Storytelling-Guide-EN-FINAL.pdf; Story template http://intranet.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/occ/Quick_Guides/FAO-Stories-Template-UPDATED.pdf; UN map standards (available to staff); FAO Brand and policy book (available to staff).
• Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in journalism, mass communications, development communications, or other relevant field;
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in communications, including media relations and the use of new and traditional media;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian).

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong project management skills, including keen attention to detail and ability to follow tasks and ideas through to completion;
• A high degree of flexibility and adaptability in order to respond to changing needs;
• Competent in establishing and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders;
• Proactive and solutions-oriented approach to work and the ability to identify and implement effective processes for achieving outcomes;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a team and with people from diverse backgrounds.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement